“Everything was going great at the Scarlets. I was picking up man of match awards playing the biggest games around – but it was one thing after another after that. I tore my bicep and then picked up a pectoral injury.

“Clubs are paying you to be fit so the relationship deteriorated. In the end they released me and it went downhill from there.

He added: "I went to see a psychologist and I also had a great support network with friends and family. Being able to speak to people about how I was feeling was what pulled me through.

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“It wasn’t easy to admit I was struggling to cope with it all but it’s important people understand rugby players are not just commodities for the club to use and dispose of as they wish.

“Mental health issues are not easy to talk about in a physical sport like rugby. It needs to become more acceptable to talk about it like it can be in football and the more people understand this is going on the better for everyone.”

Welsh Premiership side Ebbw Vale offered him an opportunity to keep pulling on his boots at the start of last season, but Pitman admitted that motivation was a problem after becoming accustomed to playing in front of thousands of fans.

He's now found a home in Jersey, in the English Championship, and he's injury free and looking forward to the season ahead.

“I played for Ebbw Vale a few times but it wasn’t for me. I have nothing against them or the Welsh Premiership but having played in the PRO12 since I was 17 in front of thousands of fans it was hard to get motivated to play at the level below.